The bedrock of our wilderness treks in Death Valley National Park
Dante's View, late afternoon, southern Death Valley
Journal Entry: Day Four - April 28, Thursday I wanted to get away from the concrete and crowds of typical reality - well, I think that objective has been successfully met here on the Deadman Pass road. The day is pleasant, heavy cloud cover, no rain. I am eastbound, a few miles from the Greenwater Valley road that I just left. Ahead on the horizon is the pass, which comes slowly because the road, while class-2, has numerous gullies and small washes here and there that tend to sneak up on me, so keeping speed down to 20 is important. This was the old supply and freight road for the mining camps of Greenwater, Furnace, Kunze, and Gold Valley. It will drop me out on paved (unfortunately) Highway 127, at Eagle Mountain, a giant landmark that can be seen for miles. From there, I will proceed south to acquire fuel in the tiny town of Shoshone. This is a good place to come for easy backroad drives, far away from the typical tourist destinations. By the way, I found no dead man today on this road.
In an enthusiastic spirit of cooperation with the National Park Service and Death Valley National Park in particular, WildDeathValley.com willingly champions the beliefs and goals of environmental preservation and responsible land use. WildDeathValley.com is committed to upholding the Purpose and Management objectives of Death Valley National Park as presented in the General Management Plan, which is available for viewing at: www.nps.gov/deva/Deva_gmp/DEVA_GMP.htm.
The mission of WildDeathValley.com is to facilitate my fellow explorers' use and enjoyment of Death Valley National Park in a manner that will leave the Park unimpaired for future use and enjoyment by other visitors. It is my mission to provide information that will lead to a safe and pleasurable wilderness experience for my fellow explorers with an emphasis on incomparable solitude, regional appreciation, and protection of the Park's resources and values. It is my genuine hope that all Park explorers will, through their Death Valley experience, learn to value the Park and desire to protect its integrity through whatever means they are able to accomplish. While WildDeathValley.com cannot eliminate risks associated with backcountry travel through the Park, it is my goal to manage the risk involved through informed preparation, and using common sense and reasonable prudence to make all our trips as safe and enjoyable as possible.
Death Valley National Park possesses remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, historic, and cultural qualities that should be forever preserved for the enjoyment and appreciation of all people. WildDeathValley.com supports and defends the mission of Death Valley National Park of dedicating itself to protecting significant desert features that provide world class scenic, scientific, and educational opportunities for visitors and academics to explore and study. The foundational mission of the National Park Service was stated in its 1916 Organic Act: "… the fundamental purpose … is to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations."
Further, WildDeathValley.com supports the following purposes as stated in the Death Valley National Park General Management Plan:
1) Preserve the unrivaled scenic, geologic, and natural resources of these unique natural landscapes, while perpetuating significant and diverse ecosystems of the California desert in their natural state.
2) Preserve the cultural resources of the California desert associated with prehistoric, historic and contemporary Native American culture, patterns of western exploration, settlement and mining endeavors.
3) Provide opportunities for compatible public outdoor recreation and promote the public's understanding and appreciation of the California desert by interpreting the natural and cultural resources.
Specific environmental information about our explorations
Let's do our part to maintain environmental integrity while exploring the wild!
As we look around our industrialized world, seeing thousands of examples of natural world exploitation, pollution and environmental destruction, we may tend to think that spending a few days exploring the backcountry in our BEVs is so utterly trivial when compared to the massive scale of our collective civilization. While it may be, every little act of environmental kindness that we perform and share with others is a positive step in the right direction. I advocate the following backcountry practices, and kindly request that anyone visiting this website do likewise ... let's make a difference, even if no one else knows about it!
22 beliefs that form the bedrock of our wilderness experiences:
1) Travel in small groups to minimize environmental impact.
2) Drive on roads that are legally set aside by the National Park Service for backcountry travel.
3) Drive in a safe, responsible, and mature manner that does not endanger people or wild animals.
4) Slow the BEV and remain quiet when passing wild or range animals, so as not to frighten them.
5) Drive at whatever speed necessary to significantly minimize the dust created by the BEV.
6) Turn off the BEV's engine if not in the act of actually driving, to stop exhaust emissions.
7) Drive sober, drug-free, and never throw any burning material from the vehicle.
8) Pack out trash to an approved waste disposal site, and pick up after others who do not.**
9) Use existing campsites whenever possible to minimize damage to the area.
10) Camp at least 200 yards from any natural water source such as a pond or stream to avoid contamination.
11) Minimize the use of biodegradable soap whenever possible, staying away from natural water sources.
12) Keep an orderly and clean camp to discourage wildlife habituation.
13) Keep an orderly and clean camp that will not offend others who love a natural setting.
14) Dispose of solid human waste in an 8 inch hole 200 yards from water sources if no toilet is available.
15) Dispose of liquid human waste on sandy areas, pine needles, or rocks rather than vegetation.
16) Dispose of toilet paper in an 8 inch hole or pack it out in a ziplock, along with feminine hygiene products.
17) When leaving a campground, make sure the area occupied is clean and ready for the next visitor.
18) When leaving a primitive camp, return the area to its natural appearance and state.
19) Leave historical artifacts, plants, and other interesting items as found, to be enjoyed by everyone.
20) If in an area where campfires are allowed, use existing fire rings or practice low-impact fire techniques.
21) Walk on hard packed surfaces or trails whenever possible, avoiding vegetation, especially at high altitude.
22) Do whatever else needs attention in the backcountry we love, setting an example of good stewardship!
** Regarding #8 above, packing out trash, here is some interesting science about the length of time that is required for certain items to decompose, according to the United Nations Environment Programme: 1) glass bottles = 1 million years, 2) batteries = 100 years, 3) aluminum & tin cans = 50 to 100 years, 4) plastic bags = 10 to 20 years, 5) plastic coated milk cartons = 5 years, 6) orange peels = 6 months, 7) paper = 2 to 5 months. Theoretically, it is currently thought that plastic soda bottles may actually never decompose!
If you are inclined to preserve the Earth as I am, an excellent book that will most assuredly bring this type of awareness to the forefront of your mind is The Sacred Balance, Rediscovering Our Place In Nature by David Suzuki (The Douglas & McIntyre Publishing Group, ISBN 1-55054-963-4). As written on the back cover, "This powerful, deeply felt book gives concrete suggestions for how we can meet our basic needs and create a way of life that is ecologically sustainable, fulfilling and just. It offers the seeds of a new direction for us all, one in which we can rediscover our place in nature and live in balance with our surroundings."
As a man for whom the call of the wild has always held a special place, my understanding, appreciation, and passion of Earth have increased profoundly through the reading of Dr. Suzuki's book. His writings, and others like it, dramatically demonstrate that our species is so inextricably a part of Earth that what we do to harm the air, water, soil, energy, and biodiversity of this planet returns and literally cycles through us, poisoning our human lives, right along with all the other creatures of our small blue/green orb. Our every action reaps a consequence, and we must be aware of the ways these consequences affect the balance of nature and the ability of this planet to sustain life. As Dr. Suzuki writes, " People have always understood that we are deeply embedded in and dependent upon the natural world."
I describe myself as Earth Aware, so that even when I know I am contributing to the harm of the planet, I am aware of it, and therefore minimize the damage as much as I can. Though flawed, I continually strive to improve in meaningful ways. Few, if any, of us are 100% in line with zero environmental degradation, even those who consider themselves so. We are in a mode of ever-increasing awareness and willingness to change our status quo. The longest journey begins with the first step, and it is my hope that everyone reading these words will continue with their journey to preserve the natural (and surprisingly fragile) world in which we all find ourselves. Being "Earth Aware" is an evolution of the mind, a path upon which a lifetime of travel is a most meritorious undertaking.
Thank you for your participation!
Dr. Suzuki's suggestions you can do!
David Suzuki speaks internationally on topics of environmental stewardship. Since Dr. Suzuki is often asked what can the average person do, The David Suzuki Foundation (www.davidsuzuki.org) has recommended a list of 10 ways to assist in conserving nature and improving the quality of our lives. Here's the list as it appears on the foundation's website:
1) Reduce home energy use by 10%
2) Choose an energy-efficient home and appliances
3) Don't use pesticides
4) Eat meat-free meals one day a week
5) Buy locally grown and produced food
6) Choose a fuel-efficient vehicle
7) Walk, bike, carpool or take transit
8) Choose a home close to work or school
9) Support alternative transportation
10) Learn more and share with others By visiting the website, you can learn about these strategies in much more detail, along with a host of many other ways to live in harmony with our natural world. By presenting this list here, I am practicing item #10, "share with others." Pass it on!
Death Valley National Park Policy and Regulations 1) Camping is permitted in developed campgrounds and some backcountry areas. Backcountry camping is allowed two miles away from any developed area, paved road, or "day use only" area. Camp only in previously disturbed areas and park your vehicle close to the roadway to minimize impact. Backcountry campsites must be more than 100 yards from any water source to protect these fragile areas for wildlife use.2) Camping is not allowed on the following "day use only" dirt roads and areas: Titus Canyon road, West Side road, Wildrose road, Skidoo road, Aguereberry Point road, Cottonwood Canyon road (first 8 miles), Racetrack road (from Teakettle Junction to Homestake Dry Camp), Keane Wonder mine, Lost Burro mine, Ubehebe Lead mine, and the valley floor from Ashford Mill in the south to 2 miles north of Stovepipe Wells.
3) Off-road driving is strictly forbidden to protect the extremely fragile desert ecosystems. The desert environment is slow to recover from vehicle damage. Use only approved roads.
4) Campfires are prohibited, except in fire pits in developed campgrounds. Gathering wood is unlawful and burning of wood is not allowed in the backcountry. Use of a low impact backpacking stove is encouraged.
5) Pets are not allowed off roads, on trails, or in the wilderness areas of the Park.
6) Removal or disturbance of rocks, historic artifacts, plants, or animals is prohibited. Death Valley is considered an "outdoor museum" so please leave the Park undisturbed for others to enjoy.
7) The use of metal detectors is prohibited.
8) Weapons are strictly prohibited. This includes firearms, air guns, bow and arrows, slingshots, and other similar weapons.
9) Burying garbage is not allowed. Wild animals will dig it up as soon as you leave. Either place it in a proper garbage receptacle or pack it out with you. Human waste should be buried more than six inches deep and more than 200 yards from any water source if no toilet is available.
10) Please respect all private property including the many patented mining claims in the Park.
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